English Language Media in Geneva, Switzerland

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English Language Media in Geneva, Switzerland

Information on the English-language radio (FM and Internet), television, magazines and newspapers available to anglophones in Geneva and the vicinity.

Radio

BBC World Service can be received on digital FM 90.2 and Satellite Hot Bird 6-13º East.

• For more information on receiving BBC World Service via satellite: Click here

The main BBC stations and other English-language radio can also be received via many satellite TV installations or over the Internet. Previously broadcast programmes can often be listened to again or downloaded.

Voice of America is also available on shortwave, with NewsNow. 

• For the region's frequency chart: Click here
• For a programme guide: Click here
• For webcasts of VOA programmes: Click here

Radio in Geneva

World Radio Switzerland (WRS-FM 88.4) available on 88.4 FM broadcasts in English to Geneva and on cable and satellite to the rest of Switzerland. Programming includes contemporary music, chat, news and magazine shows. The programmes are also available streaming live via the Internet. 

Radio 74 (88.8 FM Geneva and the lake region and 88.1 FM Annecy). Bilingual French/English station with a focus on educational programming, news and discussions. Also available streaming live via the Internet. 

• For details on where to find Radio 74 and its frequencies: Click here 

The English Show is broadcast from Basel on Tuesdays from 18:30 on Radio X (94.5 FM) 

Radio on the Internet

Increasingly, radio stations are "streaming" their broadcasts on the Internet. You typically need RealPlayer although sometimes a feed is available in Windows Media format, compatible with the players that have shipped with recent versions of Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer. 

• For a fairly comprehensive list of the many stations who provide this service: Click here
• Directory of over 13,000 radio stations: Streema Online Radio Stations

Alternatively, select one of the stations below for (relatively) instant access to live radio!

• BBC World Service   
• Voice of America's NewsNow  
• CNN
• BBC Radio 1  
• BBC Radio 2  
• BBC Radio 3  
• BBC Radio 4  
• BBC Radio 5  

Television

It is possible to access UK-based free-to-air (FTA) programming on the same satellite that broadcasts Sky Digital. Please note, however, that there is no legal way to access encrypted programming on that satellite while in Switzerland or France (such as Sky Digital's premium channels accessible only through a Sky subscription package, or those channels that may only be watched in the UK using a satellite receiver with a free-to-view - FTV - card installed).

• For a good (if not entirely comprehensive) list of what's on TV across Europe: Click here.

Swiss Television

The SSG/SSR is the Swiss national public broadcaster. It provides two French-language TV channels, two Italian, three German and one channel in Romansch. These language channels are regional, available locally on terrestrial television but nationally on cable and DTH. 

Télévision Suisse Romande is based in Geneva, with offices across the country and serves the French speaking Swiss population. English-language programmes are available. Look for the sign "VO" (version originale, which means broadcast in the original language) in the listing or select from the Bicanal option.

The Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) has a full list of the licensed television and radio broadcasters operating in Switzerland.

BlueWin TV from Swisscom broadcasts some UK TV channels (BBC, ITV, Film4 and others). 

It is obligatory to pay television licence fees in Switzerland.

• The OFCOM website has a comprehensive explanation (in English) of where and how to pay: Click here
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Television & Radio in Switzerland

French Television

Across the border in France, both Canal+ and Arte show some English-language programmes (particularly feature films, often at odd times of the day or night), for a reasonable amount of English-language television you really need a satellite TV installation.

Canal Satellite and TPS, the two main digital satellite providers in France, have merged. Between them, there are many channels, with a reasonable number of English-language programmes, including feature films, comedy, TV dramas, and documentaries - together with some English news feeds (from sources such as CNN, BBC World, Sky News and CNBC).

English-language Print Publications

• Geneva Times: Independent, general-information, magazine for English speakers in the Swiss Romand. Bimonthly, online and in print, the GT covers political, social and cultural news and events of interest to the local expatriate community. Available in shopping centres, English bookshops and Naville newsstands
• Swiss News: National English-language newspaper focusing on Swiss news and events from an expatriate's perspective. Published monthly and available at most newsstands and from English bookshop Off The Shelf at 15 boulevard Georges Favon, Geneva
• Swiss Style: Magazine providing information on services, products and events for the anglophone population in Switzerland
• Inside Switzerland Magazine: English-language culture and lifestyle magazine featuring Swiss life, fashion, design and events. Published quarterly and available by subscription or at OfftheShelf bookshop in Geneva
• Mothering Matters: Bi-monthly journal in English for parents in Switzerland. Articles cover subjects: health, education, travel, bilingualism and child development. Available by subscription
• New Stork Times: Published 10 times annually, this magazine provides information on parenthood for English speaking parents in Switzerland. Available by subscription

France

• The Connexion: National monthly newspaper in English with French news and current information relevant to expatriates living and working in France. Available by subscription or from some newsstands (presse).
• The French Paper: Monthly print publication about France, French news and living in France. Available at selected newsstands and by subscription
• Croques Loisirs: Bilingual quarterly publication with calendar of events and activities for children in Geneva and neighbouring France. Distributed free of charge in Town Halls and Tourist Offices in the Pays de Gex

Online news

• GenevaLunch: Online Lake Geneva, Swiss and local community news 
• Swisster: Online local, national and world news for the English-speaking community in Switzerland
• Swissinfo.ch: Swiss news and information online, available in nine languages

International News Links

International English-language newspapers are available at many newsstands, usually on the day following publication.

AngloINFO delivers an extensive English-language news service, drawn from sources around the world.

• Visit the AngloINFO Newsroom!

Most of the major international press is available online: 

UK

• The Belfast Telegraph
• The Daily Express
• The Daily/Sunday Telegraph
• The Financial Times
• The Guardian
• The Independent
• The Mirror
• The Sun
• The Scotsman
• The Times
• And many more, listed here

Ireland

• The Irish Independent
• The Irish News
• The Irish Times
• And many more, listed here.

USA

• The Chicago Sun-Times
• The Los Angeles Times
• The New York Times
• The New York Post
• The San Fransisco Chronicle
• The San Fransisco Examiner
• The Seattle Times
• USA Today
• The Wall Street Journal
• The Washington Post
• And many more, listed here.

Canada

• The Montreal Gazette
• The Toronto Star
• The Vancouver Sun
• The Globe and Mail
• And more, listed here.

Australia

• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Melbourne Age
• And many more, listed here.

New Zealand

• The New Zealand Herald
• And many more, listed here.

South Africa

• Business Day
• Die Burger (in Afrikaans)
• Independent Newspapers (The Star, The Cape Argus, etc.)
• The Sunday Times
• The Weekly Mail & Guardian

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